I am using a 5-star rating system, which appears at the end of each review; here’s the key to the stars:
5 = Outstanding … 4.5 = Excellent … 4 = Very Good … 3.5 = Good … 3 = Average
Key: Wine colour indicators - Red are red wines, Yellow are whites, etc.
The Skinny - a surprising amount of corked bottles during this tasting, upwards of a dozen bottles had this fault.
The Tasting - not sure who's doling out the 90's like water, but some of these 90+'s were far from it. While some of the regular releases are way up there and should have been part of the promotion. This release focuses on 90+ wines (90+) and Portugal (POR), so let's take a look ...
Argentina ...
La Posta 2009 Pizzella Family Vineyard Malbec ($15.95 - #166298) - juicy with chocolate notes; some spice and some floral also make an appearance. (*** 1/2+) - BB
Trivento 2007 Coleccion Fincas No. 2 Syrah ($16.95 - #269217) - mint, chocolate, white pepper, blackberry and black cherry. (*** 1/2+)
Australia ...
Tait 2009 The Ball Buster Red ($24.95 - #269472) - at 15.3% alcohol you expect real power here, but it enters the mouth with kid gloves and delivers the goods. (*** 1/2+)
Two Hands 2010 Angels' Share Shiraz ($27.95 - #009480) - peppered-chocolate-black fruit. (****)
Vasse Felix 2010 Chardonnay ($20.95 - #903617) - a good Aussie Chardonnay, hits all the right notes and keeps some fairly bright acidity in the process. (****) - 90+
Wakefield 2010 Merlot ($17.95 - #683201) - juicy, juicy, juicy with lots of chocolate appeal ... this is what Merlot means to many. (*** 1/2+)
Wynns Coonawarra Estate 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon ($24.95 - #084996) - this just rocks - powerful, juicy yet with so much finesse: blackberry and chocolate rule the roost here; drink or hold, it's your choice, but this one is made for the long haul. (**** 1/2)
Canada ...
(British Columbia)
Mission Hill 2009 SLC Syrah ($37.95 - #068379) - smoky, blackberry with lots of pepper on the tongue, there is a nice balance between the fruit and acidity here. (****)
(Ontario)
Cave Spring 2008 CSV Riesling ($29.95 - #566026) - 90+
Colaneri Estate 2009 Stellucha Riesling ($15.95 - #279778)
Lakeview Cellars 2007 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon ($19.95 - #618793)
Malivoire 2010 Pinot Gris ($19.95 - #591305)
Chile ...
Gamma 2008 Reserva Privada Cabernet / Merlot ($16.95 - #$269191) - lots of minty goodness that Chile is known for, typical but tasty. (*** 1/2+) - BB
Lomas del Valle 2010 Pinot Noir ($16.95 - #272625) - high alcohol, juicy and quite impressive: strawberry, spice, cinnamon, cherry - the acidity is spot on and so is the bite from the spice. (****)
France ...
(Alsace)
Pierre Sparr Brut Rose Cremand D'Alsace ($17.95 - #039016) - creamy strawberry and raspberry notes with good acidity on the finish making this one clean and tasty. (*** 1/2+)
(Beaujolais)
Mommessin 2010 Les Griottes Morgon ($17.95 - #276402) - a Gamay with class: mineral and a tad bitter but with good fruit. (*** 1/2) - 90+
(Bordeaux)
Chateau Tire Pe La Cote 2008 ($25.00 - #137364) - shows some power upfront, nice mid-palate and a robust finish. (*** 1/2+)
Chateau Vignot 2010 Blanc ($13.95 - #108522) - lots of grapefruit notes to be excited about. (*** 1/2)
(Burgundy)
Domaine Rebourgeon-Mure Pommard 2009 ($43.95 - #091116) - violets and earthy with fine, firm tannins. (*** 1/2+)
Domaine Raphael Sallet 2009 Macon Uchizy ($15.95 - #130450) - fresh, crisp and minerally good mouthfeel with balancing acidity. (*** 1/2)
William Fevre 2010 Sauvignon Blanc Saint-Bris ($16.95 - #626523) - this one shows grapefruit but also some other interesting flavours, but mainly the whole grapefruit: skins, pith and pulp. (****)
(Midi)
Mas D'Auzieres Sympathie Pour les Stones 2009 ($19.95 - #277046) - floral, black cherry, plum, chocolate, juicy with fruit sweetness; shows good now and has potential for the future. (****+)
(Rhone)
Delas Freres Saint-Esprit Cotes du Rhone Rose 2011 ($12.95 - #224964) - hint of cherry-raspberry on the nose with cherry on the palate, cleansing amount of acidity on the finish. (*** 1/2)
Germany ...
CH Berres 2008 Urziger Wurzgarten Riesling Kabinett ($19.95 - #207274) - nice minerality, peach pit though a dense feeling in the mouth. (****) - 90+
Greece ...
Kir-Yianni 2011 Akakies Rose ($11.95 - #071050) - strawberry throughout, a real vibrant pink colour lures the eyes, this is a tasty little treat. (*** 1/2)
Italy ...
(Friuli)
Pighin 2011 Pinot Grigio ($15.95 - #987545) - there's a sweet note to this one, it bridges the gap between the Italian style and the new world ripe white fruit style, call it lemony-pears. (*** 1/2)
(Piedmont)
Marenco Strev 2011 Moscato D'Asti ($14.95 - #276600) - priced almost right for this province, all the typical signs of Moscato are here. (*** 1/2)
(Sicily)
Baglio di Pianetto 2009 Nero D'Avola ($14.95 - #207423) - sweet blackberry, plum, milk chocolate, supple and sexy with spice and tannins for a backbone. (*** 1/2+)
(Tuscany)
Castello di Ama 2007 Chianti Classico ($33.95 - #039768) - rustic leathery notes yet with fruit and earthy character, a real dichotomy of flavours that plays wonderful havoc in the mouth. (****) - 90+
Vicciomaggio Agostino Petri Chianti Classico Riserva 2008 ($19.95 - #993360) - supple dark fruit, a wine ready to drink now and over the next 5-7 years. (****) - 90+
New Zealand ...
Astrolabe 2009 Voyage Pinot Noir ($24.95 - #179200) - cigar, cherry, spice, shows finesse on the finish. (****)
Momo 2010 Chardonnay ($17.95 - #247247) - nice creaminess here, plenty of fruit and acid; vanilla, peach, pear, mac apple, lots to enjoy. (****)
Portugal ...
Azul Portugal Reserva 2007 ($15.95 - #276238) - sweet blackberry and black tea notes with hint of cigar and spice. (*** 1/2) - POR
Adega Deu la Deu 2010 Alvarinho Vinho Verde ($19.95 - #040642) - the sweetness of apple and some lemon notes, this one shows a depth and finesse with vibrant acidity that pulls in all together (****) - 90+
Cabriz 2008 Reserva ($15.95 - #021410) - rich of chocolate, dark fruited and spicy. (*** 1/2) - POR
Monte Vilar Reserva 2008 ($15.95 - #276105) - think red berries soaked in cocoa, smoke and spice. (****) - POR
Quinta de Ventozelo 2007 LBV Port ($18.95 - #274688) - good acid and big fruit, dark and delicious. (****) - POR
Quinta do Infantado 2009 Red ($21.95 - #095158) - lovely rich dark fruit, blackberry, cassis, plum, smoky chocolate and good length of finish. (****+)
South Africa ...
Sequillo Cellars 2009 Red ($29.95 - #277996) - pretty label, interesting wine with some elegance and depth; pepper and spice finsih 'er off; not your ordinary South African wine here. (*** 1/2+) - 90+
Spain ...
Lealtanza 2005 Reserva ($19.95 - #276097) - soft and juicy blackberry plus this one has a real backbone to it too, for future drinking. (*** 1/2+) - 90+
United States ...
(California)
Belle Glos 2010 Meiomi Pinot Noir ($24.95 - #130138) - still one of my fav Cali-Pinots, juicy black cherry with some elegant spice, a real charmer. (****+)
La Crema 2010 Pinot Noir ($29.95 - #719435) - juice red berries, oak and spice with hints of strawberry throughout ... also available in 375ml. (****)
Liberty School 2001 Rose ($16.695 - #276667) - a rose made from Syrah, Mourvedre and Grenache, and it shows the weight of those grapes in the mouth. (*** 1/2)
Louis M. Martini 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon ($29.95 - #232371) - supple, juicy with hints of pepper on the finish, black fruit dominates. (****) - 90+
Ridge 2009 Lytton Springs ($46.95 - #982413) - very good fruit with some real backbone, tasty and quaffable. (****+) - 90+
(Oregon)
Boedecker Athena Pinot Noir 2008 ($36.95 - #283986) - loveliness of fruit and spice. (****+) - 90+
(Washington)
Chateau Smith 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon ($24.95 - #280107) - cherries and chocolate. (*** 1/2+)
If You Can Afford It ... wines that deliver even for their price point
Atlas Peak 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon ($99.95 - #229856) - depth of fruit and flavour (****)
Kistler 2010 Les Noisetiers Chardonnay ($74.95 - #251223) - a Cali-Chard lovers Chard (*** 1/2+)
Rubicon Estate 2008 Cask Cabernet Sauvignon ($74.95 - #029553) - real depth of character (****) - 90+
What I'll Be Lining Up For ...
Belle Glos 2010 Meiomi Pinot Noir ($24.95 - #130138) - USA
Lomas del Valle 2010 Pinot Noir ($16.95 - #272625) - Chile
Wynns Coonawarra Estate 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon ($24.95 - #084996) - Australia
Mas D'Auzieres Sympathie Pour les Stones 2009 ($19.95 - #277046) - France
Happy Shopping
1 comment:
My take --
1. Finca Sophenia Reserve Viognier 2011 Mendoza: more citric and appley
than most viognier, 12% ABV, better with seafood and fish. +278267,
$16.95, QPR: 89.
2. Chateau Vignol Blanc 2010 Entre-Deux-Mers: satisfyingly friendly
food wine in zesty savvy mode, 12.5% ABV. +108522, $13.95, QPR: 89.
TOP VALUE RED WINES under $20 or so.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
1. Ironstone Cabernet Sauvignon 2009 California: good value in a
California cabby, ready now, 13.5% ABV. +537597, $17.95, QPR: 90.
2. La Posta Pizzella Family Vineyard Malbec 2009 Uco Mendoza: god
Malbec intensity and MVC, twist top, 13.5% ABV. +166298, $15.95, QPR:
89.
3. Trivento Coleccion Fincas No. 2 Syrah 2007 Mendoza: juicy lucy, sip
or food, 14% ABV. Value. +269217, $16.95, QPR: 89.
4. Urraca Malbec 2008 Mendoza: good aging, 14.8% ABV blockbuster,
plumy, a big wine. +214379, $19.5, QPR: 89.
5. Small Gully Formula Robert's Shiraz 2006 South Australia: deep, dark
and delicious, well-aged, 15.9% over-the-top, but not a hot finish.
+142935, $19.95, PR: 90.
6. Les Hauts de Montfort Les Megalithes 2009 Minervois Unfiltered a
hidden gem, old grenache vines, ark fruit, 14.5% ABV needs food.
+279554, 13.95, QPR: 91.
7. Mas D'Auzieres Sympathie Pour Les Stones 2009 Coteaux du Languedoc:
I could make a crack about "Sympathy for the Devil" by the Rolling
Stones, since the Stones own a piece of South of France around the
corner. But I won't. It's 14% ABV syrah, with mocha and dark fruit
tones, long finish. +277046, $19.95, QPR: 90.
8. Umani Ronchi Montipagano Montepulciano d'Abruzzo 2010: dark fruit,
light tang on the finish, 13% ABV, organic. +134585, $13.95, QPR: 89.
9. Di Majo Norante Ramitello 2009 Biferno Rosso Molise: 13.5% ABV, a
whopper of a wine that needs time. +973214, $15.95, QPR: 89.
10. Travaglini Nebbiolo 2010 Coste della Sesia Piedmont: juicy nebbiolo
flavours, aged 10 months in oak, 13% ABV. Value for nebbiolo lovers.
+30353, $17.95, QPR: 89.
11. Baglio di Pianetto Nero d'Avola 2009 IGT Sicilia: rich, ripe, over-
the-top dark fruit, 13.5% ABV. Sipper or food. +207423, $14.95, QPR:
89.
12. Vicchiomaggio Agostino Petri Chianti Classico Riserva 2008: good
value but needs more time. Fruit and finishing acid are there. 14% ABV.
+993360, $19.5, QPR: 89.
13. Azul Portugal Reserva 2007 VR Alentejano: off-dry on the palate,
North American appeal, 13.5% ABV. +276238, $15.95, QPR: 89.
14. Cunha Martins Reserva 2008 Dao: fatty + smokey = BBQ. 13% ABV.
+276188, $14.95, QPR: 89.
15. Monte Vilar Reserva 2008 VR Alentejano: soft. 14% ABV, North
American appeal like the Azul above. +276105, $15.95, QPR: 89.
16. Bod. Altanza Lealtanza Reserva 2005 Rioja: well-priced, MVC for a
Rioja, 13.5% BV, but still needs another year or so. +276097, $19.95,
QPR: 90.
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